Good morning allGiraffes were spotted in the same area last night,herd of eland,springbok as well as hartmann zebra were find together close to the bridge towards the western secion.Nocturnal life includes african wildcat,red rock rabbit,scrub hare and nightjars.Leopard tortoise was also seen.

Good evening allBush baptist wish i could have bring some of those rhinos which is so slautered in some parts of the land to Augrabies,so unfortunately no rhinos.Last night sigtingsGiraffes,eland,gemsbok,red hartebees,hartmann zebra,red rock rabbit,scrub hare and nightjars

Good evening allLast night sightingsGiraffes,eland,gemsbok,hartmann zebra,scrub hare and nightjars.Just came back from a drive and did not see much,springbok,gemsbok,klipspringers and scrub hare.Bush baptist the blackies was transfered to Addo National Park a few years ago due to the land dispute with the Riemvasmaak community.Untill now the park is still managing the Northern section.

Good morning allLast night was the first time that i did a drive since the floods,the first time that i was actually in the veld and after the rains all bare patches is covered with grass which makes it difficult to spot smaller nocturnal life. Although the roads is open it is still in a bad state, corrugations and erosion gullies which slows down one's driving.A good close up sighting of a group of giraffes were seen,klipspringers,spotted eagle owls,nightjars and scrub hares were also on the list.

Only big catfish which is confused with crocs Bush BaptistMalealea aerial census is used to determine numbers and according to these data animals is transfered to other parks.According to the Section ranger there is a need to do such a census this year.From my side regulating factors for populations also include weather conditions,parasites and diseases alone or in combination to minimize numbers, and as you have mention predators too.The above was experience as there was mortalities this year as well as field rangers play an important role in monitoring to get these data. I also would like to say that there was not large numbers of mortalities as you will have a problem if this is the result.Selfregulating factors also include activities and behaviour where animals will determine there numbers in a given area.

Thank you forumitesMalealea agree it is interesting topic,hunting is not allowed in a national park but transfering of animals also strengthens the gene pool in that way.To restore the ecolocical balance predators like lions for instance was reintroduced in national parks like Karroo and Addo and cheetahs in Mountain Zebra.Sanparks as a orginisation may also sell,exchange and donate willdlife under the Protected Areas Act, and this is what is done for instance in Kruger.I also know that Augrabies has sold at some stage Game to one of the neighbouring Private Reserve Khamkirri.It was 20 springbok,and 3 giraffes and some Hartmann zebra from the Northern section.If the game cencus is done perhaps this year i will put up those stats,just to give the forumites a idea how much species occur on a 60000 ha reserve.

Do you know which Predators lived naturally in this Area. I know from Karoo that they only reintroduce animals which historically occur in this area. To speal in spekulative way. Hayenas lived there but were hunt to extinction, how big is the probability that you reintroduce this Predators?

If you transfere the animals the gene Pool are mixed up that is true. But in which way did Nature manage it befor humans took over? Is it possible to leave nature as it is? I think now its turns a bitt Off Topic but in case of Augrabies it will be indeed a good question.

Malealea probably when there were no fences,there is predators like leopard,black back jackels and caracal in the park as well.Giraffes keep mostly in the drainage areas where a good chance to see zebra's is at Blouputs waterhole the area is also known as hartmann's loop and as well at lekkerwater(waterhole).Gemsbok more in the area of the picnic site,open grassy areas. Otherwise all depends on where you are.I will ask the Section Ranger about hyanas.I will also be back on Tuesday.On the central section most likely places to see giraffes and hartmann zebra is at holombacht waterhole.Hopes this help.